Man sentenced to 20 years in Joplin killing

JOPLIN (AP) — A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in the death of a 71-year-old Joplin man.

The Joplin Globe reports that Anthony Carter, of Joplin, was sentenced Monday in Jasper County Circuit Court for second-degree murder in the death of David McKibben. McKibben's body was found Sept. 6, 2014, inside his apartment. An autopsy determined he had been beaten and strangled.

Prosecutors agreed to recommend capping Carter's prison sentence at 20 years under a plea deal. Another man, 27-year-old Kristopher Smith, of Carl Junction, is also charged with second-degree murder in McKibben's death. He is scheduled for trial beginning Jan. 19.